Shivani Bothra
The aforementioned movements, therefore, have demonstrated the need for a new model of collective action, a fresh vision for the society and a regenerated human consciousness. They all resemble Gandhi's example in their practices and their actions, yet each of them is unique in the way they cultivate their respective movements in light of their own traditions. An element that distinguishes each of the above movements is their relationship to different scriptural texts of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The Hindu text the Bhagvada Gita inspires the Gandhian movements, the Jain scripture Acharanga inspires the Anuvrat Movement and the Sri Lankan Sarvodaya Movement draws inspiration from the Buddhist scriptures of the Tipitaka.[5]
To further develop the understanding of the Anuvrat Movement, I will now compare it with the Sri Lankan Sarvodaya Movement. Both of these movements are drawn from two distinct sramanic (ascetic) traditions and have many similarities in their nature. To explore how these sramanic movements have been able to sustain members for more than five decades, I will examine the practices of meditation and asceticism, which were believed to have developed the integrity of the movements.
